Recovered Memories of Abuse Among Therapy Patients: A National Survey

This research explored the ethical decision-making process of civilians in response to real-world military dilemmas. Results revealed the complexity of these dilemmas, with about equal proportions of civilians choosing each of two response options. The moral intensity dimension of social consensus significantly predicted moral judgment in both dilemmas, whereas that of magnitude of consequences did so in only one dilemma, partially supporting our hypothesis. Both dimensions were significant predictors of moral intent in both dilemmas as was moral judgment, also supporting our hypotheses. We conclude with suggestions for future research questions in this compelling area.     

Reality Monitoring for Sexual Abuse Memories

The reality monitoring model of Johnson and Raye proposes that the phenomenal characteristics of memories for real and imagined events are utilized in reality monitoring judgements. This study examined the reality monitoring strategies utilized by subjects when remembering sexual abuse, and compared them with the strategies utilized for other types of events. Thirty-one subjects described how they knew that four different autobiographical events (a sexual abuse experience, another unrelated trauma experience, a social occasion, and an imagined event) had, or had not, happened. Sexual abuse experiences were found to elicit a unique reality monitoring response profile. This profile suggests that the characteristics of memory for sexual abuse may be more vivid than other memories. In addition, the profile for sexual abuse shows fewer contextual supporting memories than other real memories, and more psychological reasoning responses. The finding that emotional rehearsal can cause fading of perceptual detail was not found to hold for the long-term autobiographical memories that were the object of this study. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Child Sexual Abuse

Summary

Children who are recent victims of sexual abuse may initially present to their primary care health provider. Often, the outward manifestations of sexual abuse are somatic complaints or nonspecific behavioral changes. Retrospective reports of adults suggest that about 20-30% of women were sexually abused as children, with figures for men ranging from 10-15%. Interview guidelines for children and adolescents emphasize the need for sensitivity to cognitive development and emotional issues while simultaneously being focused on eliciting specific behavioral data. The use of anatomically detailed dolls, in the context of a comprehensive assessment, is discussed. Health care providers are mandated reporters and must disclose suspected child sexual abuse to the state's child protective service department. Guidelines for reporting as well as addressing this issue with parents are discussed.     

Fading of Affect Associated with Negative Child‐Related Memories Varies by Parental Child Abuse Potential

Positive memories tend to hold their affective intensity across time better than negative memories, a phenomenon referred to as the fading affect bias (FAB). An initial study explored this bias in the context of parents' affective responses to memories involving their children. Specifically, parents (N = 90 for Study 1) were asked to recall three positive events and three negative events involving their children. Next, parents rated how positively or negatively they felt when each event occurred and at recall. Results revealed that parents at high risk of physical child abuse showed a smaller FAB than low‐risk parents. The smaller FAB effect observed among high‐risk parents occurred largely because affect associated with negative child‐related events faded minimally over time. This risk moderation effect did not emerge in a second study in which parents (N = 90 for Study 2) recalled general events that were not limited to events involving children. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Behavioural Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Associated with Recovered Memories

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is sometimes associated with recovered memories (RMs) of traumatic events. That is, the sufferer reports having forgotten traumatic events for a period of time, only to recall them later on. As the memories of traumatic events are recalled, post-traumatic stress disorder may emerge. The cause of recovered memories is uncertain and is the subject of debate. Some recovered memories may be reasonably accurate, while others may be ''recollections'' of imagined rather than actual events. It is unclear whether conventional PTSD therapies, such as behaviour therapy, are appropriate and effective in treating PTSD-RM. The present article considers these issues in the context of a case study, in which a patient with PTSD-RM was treated with behaviour therapy ( in vivo and imaginal exposure). The patient sought treatment because he wanted relief from his PTSD symptoms, regardless of whether his recovered memories were accurate (he was completely convinced in the accuracy of the memories). Treatment outcome was compared with the outcome of 13 PTSD patients who did not have recovered memories, who were also treated with behaviour therapy. Results suggest that PTSD-RM can be effectively treated with behaviour therapy. However, such treatment is unlikely to be appropriate for all cases of PTSD- RM. Selection criteria are discussed.     

A Behavioral Treatment of Child Abuse:

The following case presents the behavioral analysis and treatment of abuse in an 18-year-old unmarried mother. Both her children were being abused. Treatment involved teaching child management techniques, thought-stopping, programming activities incompatible with abuse, and increasing the mother's sources of reinforcement. A foster home was also arranged for use in emergencies and types of behavior and levels of attainment expected from children at various ages were outlined. Combined instances of abuse decreased from 10 in the week prior to intervention to 0 by week nine and remained at this level for the rest of the 21 week treatment period. A follow-up 18 months later indicated no further occurence of abuse.     

Child Abuse and Divorce

Summary

This article addresses the problem of divorce situations in which there are also allegations of abuse. Its goal is to provide guidance for professionals evaluating these cases. It describes the challenges peculiar to cases where divorce and abuse allegations coexist, relevant research findings, and potential sources of bias. The article suggests a multidisciplinary approach may be the optimal strategy for evaluating these cases. Specific guidelines for evaluation and decision-making are provided.     

Religion-Related Child Physical Abuse

Abstract

Religious beliefs can foster, encourage, and justify child abuse, yet religious motivations for child abuse and neglect have been virtually ignored in social science research. In this paper, we compare victims' retrospective reports of religion-related child physical abuse to other reported cases of child physical abuse. We describe in statistical detail the nature and circumstances of the abuse, characteristics of victims and perpetrators, and the spiritual and psychological impact of the abuse. Results indicate that although the basic characteristics of religion-related physical abuse are similar to non-religion-related physical abuse, religion-related abuse has significantly more negative implications for its victims' long-term psychological well-being.     

Child Abuse: Group Treatment for Parents

Group counseling, structured to maximize peer support and to reduce social isolation, provides a context in which parents can make changes in cognition and behavior.     

Child Abuse and Adolescent Parenting

Abstract

Adolescent parents are commonly identified as an at-risk group in the child abuse literature. However, theoretical models specific to the area of child abuse and adolescent parenting are not well developed. This essay reviews established theories on child abuse, abusive parenting, and adolescent parenting to synthesize a proposed child abuse and adolescent parenting model. An ecological perspective is used to organize the theoretical model. The components of this model are supported by existing research on child abuse and adolescent parenting. The new synthesized model on child abuse and adolescent parenting should be viewed as an informed way to organize and conduct future research in this area. Further theory development on child abuse and adolescent parenting should be encouraged.     

Prevention of Child Abuse: Possibilities for Educational Systems

The traditional role of school personnel in the handling of child abuse and neglect cases has been expanded dramatically from identification and reporting to more prevention and safety efforts. Many educational systems are now requested, if not required, to provide prevention programs for children and their parents. Additionally, educators are faced with the increasing responsibility of assuring that children will not be abused or neglected within the school environment. The author examines: this expanding role for educators; programs currently being implemented; and, the impact of both on stopping the problem of child abuse and neglect.     

Counseling Child Sexual Abuse Victims: Myths and Realities

The goal of the authors is to (a) create an awareness among counselors about the nature and prevalence of child sexual abuse, (b) examine myths and realities about the topic, and (c) present recommendations for interviewing suspected victims of child sexual abuse.     

Survivors' Stories: Navigating Parenthood After Surviving Child Sexual Abuse

Survivors of child sexual abuse may have strained relational functioning in adulthood, which may affect their parenting practices. Understanding that stories indicate personal meanings attributed to a phenomenon, the authors utilized narratology to learn the parenting stories of 9 survivors. Findings include the following themes: negotiating a balance of protecting and letting go, using relational images as guideposts for parenting decisions, and exploring functioning in relational contexts.     

Child Sexual Abuse: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Case Management

Treatment for child victims of sexual abuse is a complex and sometimes lengthy process involving members of numerous social service agencies. Coordination of services can be accomplished through the use of a multidisciplinary team approach to case management. The author provides information about the roles of various team members as well as suggestions for organizing a child sexual abuse multidisciplinary team.     

Child Sexual Abuse in India: Current Issues and Research

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a serious and widespread problem in India as it is in many parts of the world today. The trauma associated with sexual abuse can contribute to arrested development, as well as a host of psychological and emotional disorders, that some children and adolescents may never overcome. When sexual abuse goes unreported and children are not given the protective and therapeutic assistance they need, they are left to suffer in silence. This article discusses the nature and incidence of the sexual abuse of minors in India and presents an overview of research findings to date. Socio-cultural and familial risk factors involved in CSA are discussed. Common symptoms and disorders associated with sexual abuse are outlined. Finally, some implications for counselors working with children in India who have been sexually abused are highlighted.